Thanksgiving 2025

When they found him on the other side of the lake, they said to him, ‘Rabbi, when did you come here?’ Jesus answered them, ‘Very truly, I tell you, you are looking for me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate your fill of the loaves. Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures for eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For it is on him that God the Father has set his seal.’ Then they said to him, ‘What must we do to perform the works of God?’ Jesus answered them, ‘This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent.’ So they said to him, ‘What sign are you going to give us then, so that we may see it and believe you? What work are you performing? Our ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness; as it is written, “He gave them bread from heaven to eat.” ’ Then Jesus said to them, ‘Very truly, I tell you, it was not Moses who gave you the bread from heaven, but it is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is that which comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.’ They said to him, ‘Sir, give us this bread always.’ Jesus said to them, ‘I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty. John 6:25-35

Jesus told the crowd that he was the bread of life. He is our food, our sustenance, and our provider of our daily needs. He is very real and practical feet on the ground kind of savior. Life is not about wealth, fame, or getting it right. It’s about the basics. It’s about love, caring and human kindness. Right now, that seems to be lacking from our world. So, we who follow the “Bread of Life” are called to embody love, caring and human kindness, sharing these basics with our neighbors, near and far. We are called to share love with those like us and those radically different. This Thanksgiving may we, of every tribe, however we celebrate, live the gratitude we have been given from our humble, loving and generous ancestors and share gratitude and love with the world.

Gracious Creator, you provide all our needs

making our earth verdant and abundant

so that all people can taste your blessings.

We take and hoard what is not ours

keeping what is meant to be shared

and losing out on your joy and love.

Remake us, Lord, into your followers

so we can share your love and joy

with a hungry and very anxious world. Amen.